Phosphoinositide 3-kinase δ inhibitor as a novel therapeutic agent in asthma

Multiple signal transduction pathways are involved in airway inflammation with one of the key signalling pathways being phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). Numerous components of the PI3K pathway play an important role in the expression and activation of inflammatory mediators, inflammatory cell recruitment, immune cell function, airway remodelling and corticosteroid insensitivity in asthma. More recently studies exploring the specific roles of different PI3K catalytic subunit isoforms in asthma have been initiated. Several of these have highlighted the importance of p110δ isoform as a novel target for therapeutic intervention in asthma. In this review the biological role of PI3Ks, especially PI3Kδ, are highlighted and the therapeutic potential of selective PI3Kδ inhibitor in asthma discussed.